Matthew Chapter 3
John stood outside the religious
norm. He appears as a wild-man, a prophet, a revivalist even. His call to
repent was for a transformed life, turned and changed. It is a lifestyle
calling, not situational forgiveness. All the country was drawn to him, where
they confessed sin and were baptized. His name was known. And he stood against
the religion of the day. Fruit of repentance is more important than position or
religion of birth. Purification is on its way and only the good fruit will
survive, for the Holy Spirit and fire will not tolerate chaff regardless of its
birthright.
Then Jesus comes, an unknown
figure, but recognized by the known figure of John. John’s baptism is symbolic
leading to a new life. Jesus is baptism of spirit, which is life. And the life
in the spirit is fire that purifies or burns up depending upon what is aflame.
Righteousness must be fulfilled.
There is a proper order to things. First the forerunner comes, then the one
announced appears. This is ordained by God and the baptism is blessed by word
and spirit. Fulfillment of righteousness can be a good and beautiful thing, but
it can also lead to very agonizing experiences. The path of righteousness that
the Messiah will take passes through both peace and pain, as we see in the next
section. It is not all rose gardens, flowing water and blessings. There is also
hunger, wilderness and temptations.
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